East Creek Site No. 5 dam
East Creek Site No. 5
East Creek Site No. 5, located in Orwell, Vermont, is a state-regulated recreational dam built in 1962 by designers Haley & Ward. The dam, constructed primarily of earth and stone materials, stands at a height of 10 feet with a length of 1020 feet, creating a storage capacity of 150 acre-feet on Sanford Brook. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment in 2014 indicated a poor state, emphasizing the need for maintenance and repairs to ensure its long-term safety and functionality.
The primary purpose of East Creek Site No. 5 is for recreation, providing opportunities for activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation in the surrounding area. The dam's location in Addison County, within the jurisdiction of the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), underscores the importance of managing water resources and climate impacts effectively. With regular state inspections and enforcement in place, the dam plays a crucial role in water management and flood control for the local community, highlighting the significance of sustainable infrastructure development in the face of changing environmental conditions.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts continue to advocate for resilient infrastructure solutions, East Creek Site No. 5 serves as a reminder of the intersection between human activities and natural systems. The data points to a need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the dam's structural integrity and safety, while also recognizing the importance of balancing recreational benefits with environmental stewardship. By prioritizing sustainable practices and investing in the upkeep of critical infrastructure like East Creek Site No. 5, stakeholders can work towards a more resilient and climate-resilient future for water resources in Vermont and beyond.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around East Creek Site No. 5 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Poultney River Below Fair Haven | 311 cfs | → |
| Putnam Creek East Of Crown Point Center Ny | 373 cfs | → |
| Otter Creek At Middlebury | 874 cfs | → |
| Otter Creek At Center Rutland | 606 cfs | → |
| New Haven River At Brooksville Nr Middlebury | 196 cfs | → |
| Mettawee River Near Middle Granville Ny | 244 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near East Creek Site No. 5.
Boat launches
- Mount Independence Road Orwell
- Orwell
- Chipman Point Road Orwell
- Lake Road 4819, Benson
- Lhcs Road Hubbardton
- Hanson Road Shoreham
Campgrounds
- Half Moon Pond State Park
- Rogers Rock - Dec
- Bomoseen State Park
- Country Village Campground
- Monitor Bay Campground
- Putnam Pond - Dec
Fishing spots
- Black Pond Access Point
- Lefferts Pond Area
- Combination Pond
- Moses Pond
- Heinburg Bridge Fishing Access Pier
Track East Creek Site No. 5 in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About East Creek Site No. 5
Where does the data for East Creek Site No. 5 come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of East Creek Site No. 5.